This week’s must read: These people want you to know climate change isn’t just for liberals (Ars Technica)
This week’s must watch: Legendary maverick and Arizona Sen. John McCain voting no on taking up a disapproval resolution that would have rolled back a rule curbing methane emissions from oil and gas flaring, venting and leakage on public lands. (Note: we recommend fast forwarding the clip to 2:06 to watch McCain [standing left of center, below Sen. Maria Cantwell, for those not experienced in watching C-SPAN] debating his position with Sens. John Cornyn and John Barrasso before casting his vote around 3:03.)
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Susan Collins (R-ME) also voted no. The measure only received 49 votes in favor and the rule now stays intact.
Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke visited Dugout Ranch near Canyonlands National Park, where researchers are studying climate change. “I like science… we should manage on the basis of science,” Zinke, a geologist, said. He noted that human activity has had an influence on climate, but pointed to big questions: “Going forward is: What can we do about it? What is the best science away from the agendas?”
The nominee for the number two job at the State Department, lawyer John Sullivan, told a panel of senators at his confirmation hearing that he thinks the U.S. is “best served” keeping its seat at the international table by remaining a party to the Paris climate agreement.
Likewise, on Tuesday, former Secretary of State George Shultz and Ted Halstead, founder and president of the Climate Leadership Council, co-authored an op-ed in the New York Times making the Business Case for the Paris Climate Accord. “American business leaders understand that remaining in the agreement would spur new investment, strengthen American competitiveness, create jobs, ensure American access to global markets and help reduce future business risks associated with the changing climate. Leaving Paris would yield the opposite,” they write.
Shultz will appear on PBS NewsHour on Sunday.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has publicly express support for the U.S. to remain a party to the Paris climate agreement, was noncommittal at an Arctic Council meeting this week. While he pledged the U.S. would continue to protect the area’s “fragile environment” he also said the U.S. is “not going to rush” its ultimate decision on the international deal. “We’re going to work to make the right decision for the United States,” he said. Tillerson then joined the ministers of the other Arctic nations in signing a closing statement acknowledging the impacts of climate change on the Arctic Circle and the need for action.
The crazy has been reserved for other issues this week as no climate jester behavior figured prominently.
The hard work continues. Join us next week for more ecoright-related climate updates. Don’t forget to honor your favorite mom on Sunday.